Multicellular turbine.



PATENTBD DEC. 29, 1903. A. G. E. RATEAU & .G. SAUTTER.

MU-LTIGBLLULAR TURBINE.

AP PLIOATIQN I ILED AUG. 1, 1901.

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No. 748,216. PATENTED DEC. 29, 1903. A. G. E. RATEAU & G. SAUTTER.

MULTIGELLULAR TURBINE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.1. 1901.

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N0 MODEL- .mz NORRIS PETERS 1:0. PHdTLi-JYMQ.WASHINGTON!) C No. 748,216.I PATENTED DEC. 29, 1903.

A. 0.5. RATEAU & G. SAUTTER MULTIOELLULAR TURBINE.

- APPLICATION rum) AUG. 1', 1961.

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No. 748,216. PATENTED 1330.29, 1903.

"A. c. B. RATEAU & e. SAUTTER.

MULTIGELLULAHTURBINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.1, 1901.

M IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ No. 748,216. PATENTED DEC. 29, 1963.

L0. 13. RATEAU & G. SAUTTER.

MULTIGELLULAR- TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.1, 1901.

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UNITED STATES Patented December 29, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTE OAMILLE EDMOND RATEAU AND GASTON SAUTTER, OF PARI FRANCE.

MULTICELLULAR TURBINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 748.216, dated December29, 1903. Application filed August I, 1901. Serial No. 70,438. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern):

Be it known that we,AUGUSTE OAMILLE ED- MOND RATEAU and GASTONSAUTTER,ciIizenS of the Republic of France, and residents of Paris,France, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements inMulticellular Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to construct a special type of turbinedriven by direct action of steam or gas.

Direct-action turbines differ in a well-defined manner fromreaction-turbines.

In direct-action turbines the driving fluid is projected by thedistributer ontothe wheel witha speed which corresponds to the wholepressure that this wheel utilizes. The absolute pressure of fluidtherefore is the same on the inlet and outlet sides of the movingpaddle-blades. There is therefore no difference of pressure on the twofaces of the moving wheel, which thus receives no longitudinal thrustfrom the fluid.

In reaction-turbines, on the contrary, a portion only of the pressureutilized by the moving wheel is transformed into speed in passing fromthe distributer. The remainder of the pressure, generally one-half, isused upin the moving wheel. This latter is therefore subjected topressures which decrease from the inlet to and outlet from thepaddle-blades. The two faces of the moving wheel are therefore subjectto a difference of pressure.

Steam turbines having multiple wheels hitherto constructedin particular,Parsons turbine-are reaction-turbines. They have several defects, moreespecially the following:'

First. With the same fall of pressure under the same conditions thereaction-turbine rotates faster than the direct-action turbine. It, inso far as concerns hydraulic tubines, the Jonval turbines, which are,essentially, reaction-turbines, be taken as an example, it is known thatthey act most efficiently when the linear speed of rotation of themoving wheel taken at the center of the paddleblades attains aboutseventy per cent. of the theoretical speed (Vo JQQH) due to the heightof the fall H by which the turbine is being driven, while withdirectaction turbines the Girard turbine, for exampleof wheel equal toonly fifty per cent. of the theoretical V0. The same law applies tosteam-turbines. If it be wished to decrease the speed of rotation, whichis always the case in these kinds of engines, there is advantage inusing direct-action and not reaction turbines.

Second. In reaction-tn rbines the difierence of pressure which existsbetween the two faces of the moving wheel necessarily causes ize thisthrust. When the turbine is driven by direct action, this thrust nolonger takes place, whereby its construction may be sub stantiallysimplified.

Third. The difference of pressure upon the two faces of the moving wheelcauses leakage of driving fluid by reason of the play necessarilyexisting between the moving and fixed parts. It is therefore necessaryto reduce this play as much as possible, which entails great care inconstruction. In spite of everything the leakages in reaction-turbineswith a fluid as penetrating as steam are very serious. On the otherhand, a play of only two to three tenths ofa millimeter will probcontactand friction between the fixed and the rotating parts, which is inpractice a very great defect.

Fourth. In reaction-turbines the driving fluid should act upon the wholeextent of the circumference of the moving wheel. This is necessary,because otherwise the moving channel in the wheels will be subjected tosudden'variations in pressure, according as they are or are not facingthe distributors. Therefore in multiple-wheel turbines, in the firstwheels at any rate, the blades must be very short and the wheel of verysmall diameter. With direct-action turbines, on the contrary, there isno diflicullyin making the steam act upon a portion only of thecircumference of the moving wheel. The diameter of the wheels and alsothe moving paddleblades and the fixed blades may therefore be as is mostsuitable.

The above statements show the advantage direct-action turbines overreaction-turlof maximumefiiciency is attained with a speedalongitudinalthrust upon the shaft. Special precautions must therefore betaken to equalably cause after slight wear of the bearings bines. Wewill now describe the different parts of the apparatus which form theobject of the present invention.

The nature and scope of our invention will be more fully understood fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, forming part hereof, in which Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 arevertical sectional views of varying forms of construction of theturbine-wheels embodying main features of our invention. Fig. is a frontView of one of said wheels. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detail viewsillustrating two ways of securing the blades to the rim of the wheels.Figs. 10, 11, 12, 12 and 13 are views illustrating in detail varyingforms of construction of the'fixed steam distributors and theirdiaphragms.

.Fig. 14 is a longitudinal central sectional 'to a U shape incross-section.

view of a multicellular turbine embodying our invention. Fig. 15 is across-sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting thedistributers. Fig. 16 is'a diagrammatic view illustrating thearrangement of the distributors in steps. Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic viewshowing the mannerof couplingmulticellular turbines in the driving oftwo electrical machines or dynamos, and Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating a multicellular turbine adapted to be operated either withor without condensation.

Referring to the drawings, 1, 2, 3, and 4 show different constructionsof the rotating disks of sheet-iron or of other metal. 1 and 2 areconical disks. The piece or disk 1 has its periphery bent or flangedinto U shape in cross-section. It is riveted or otherwise secured at itscenter to the hub 5. The U shape considerably increases the strength ofthe disk. The disk 2 is conical and has riveted to its periphery anannular flange which in cross-section is U shape. It is also riveted atits center to the hub. The disk 3 is fiat and has on its periphery anannular rim, bent The disk 4 is fiat and has riveted to its periphery anannular angle-piece, which is U shape in crosssection.

The paddle-blades 6, upon which the'jet of steam impinges, are rivetedto the annular U shaped rim or periphery of the moving disks.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the different forms of moving disks. 5

The construction of the paddle-blades is shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Each paddle-blade 6, of raised sheet metal, is fixed at its lowerportion bya rivet 7 to the periphery of the disk.

Fig. 7 shows the method of fixing two successive paddle-blades to theperiphery of the disk, in which, in order to strengthen thepaddle-blade, metal is cast upon its lower anglepiece 8. The moment ofinertia of the pad die-blade is therefore increased, and it is able toresist the thrust of the steam without flattening. Figs. 8 and 9 show aslightly-difierent construction of moving paddle-blades.

The paddle-blade 9 is attached to the periphery of the disk by the rivet7, and the outer periphery ofsaid blade is attached to a felly 10,formed of a metal strip. This felly is pierced with holes, through whichthe thinned end of the moving paddle-blade to be riveted to the fellypasses. The lower angle 8 of each of the paddle-blades is always filledwith cast metal, as shown in Fig. 9. This method of construction has theadvantage of considerably increasing the strength of the blades, thuspermitting them to resist great centrifugal forces.

Figs. 10, 11, 12, 12 and 13 show two constructions of distributer. Thedistributers are formed of stationary blades 11, 12, or 15, which arefixed to a metal diaphragm 13 or 14. The are embraced by thedistributers increases froin the first distributer on the left to thelast distributer on the right in proportion as the steam expands, Fig.16. In Fig. 10 the distributer 11 only occupies a small arc, as alsodoes in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, however, the distributer 12 occupies, onthe contrary, the whole of the periphery. The diaphragm which supportsthe distributor is formed in Figlll ofa single conical piece 13 and isfixed to a hub 16, through which the shaft of the turbine passes,allowance being made for a slight play. The diaphragm in Fig. 13consists of a fiat disk 14 in a single piece strengthened by ribs. It isalso fixed to a hub 17, through which the shaft of the turbine passes,allowance being made for slight play.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section of the turbine, showing the method offixing the dist-ributers and their diaphragms. Each diaphragm isinclosed by the cylindrical casing of the turbine. The latter isprovidedat both ends with two conical end pieces 19 and 20.

21 is the shaft of the turbine.

22 is the steam-inlet.

23 24 are the two firstmoving disks of small diameter.

25 26 are the two following disks. The number of these disks variesaccording to the power of the machine.

27 is the first steam-distributer and is fixed in the end piece 19 ofthe turbine.

28 is the second distributer,and its diaphragm has the conical shapeshown in Fig. 11. The periphery of the disk forming the distributer anddiaphragm is surrounded by the casing of the turbine. The twodistributers,whose diaphragms 29 29 are of larger diameter, are alsosurrounded by the casing of the turbine. A turbine on this system may beformed of any suitable number of wheels and distributers,which may be ofany suitable size.

30 30 are plates riveted upon the rear pertion of the diaphragms in sucha manner as to give them a smooth surface,which considerably diminishesthe friction due to dead steam.

31 is the bearing supporting the shaft.

IIO

, and the turbine-shaft.

32 is the bearing placed at the condenser side.

33 represents the bolts joining the twoseparate halves of the casing 18.

34 is the outlet or exhaust orifice for the steam to pass out into thecondenser.

The multicellular construction of the turbine reduces the leakage ofsteam to very small dimensions, for the steam expands by a succession offalls of pressure produced in each distributer. Each moving diskbeingiuclosed between two diaphragms rotates in an inclosed space inwhich the pressure is uniform, because the turbine is, as aboveexplained, a positive-action turbine. There is therefore no leakage. ofsteam from one face of the moving disk to the other, and consequentlythe steam which passes out from a distributor into the chamber ofamoving disk is entirely utilized in speed. The only leakage of steamthere can be is through the diaphraghm of each distributer, and thediaphragm being fixed is exposed to the differ-' ence in pressureresulting from the fall of pressure in the steam. The steam hastherefore a tendency to pass from one face of the diaphragm to the otherthrough any orifices there may be.,, Besides the distributer-orificesthe only orifice remaining consists in the space left between the hub ofthe diaphragm This space may be reduced to very small dimensions whenconstructed properly, and the leakage of steam casing.

will be very small. In a reaction-turbine the leakage of steam takesplace throughout the periphery of the distributer and is consequentlylarger.

Fig. 14 shows how the turbine should be erected. The moving disks andalso the fixed diaphragms are placed one after the other upon thelshaftof the turbine. The shaft thus fitted is placed in its bearings,the'diaphragms fitting into recesses in the lower half of the It is thencovered in by the upper half of the casing,and the bolts 33 are screwedup,th us connecting the two halves of the easing together. Fig. 16 showsthe developmentof a cylindrical section through the axis of thedistributers and the moving blades in Fig. 14. This figure is for thepurpose of showing how the distributers are situated with respect to thediaphragms.

As will be seen, the different distributers,

which successively increase in size, are notarranged. opposite oneanother, but in steps. They thus form a spiral in space. Their cen tersare ranged one before the other, as shown by the dotted line abc defg h.This method of arranging the distributers has for its object to utilizethe speed of the steam passing out of the moving Wheels. the steam actsupon'a wheel it describes a small are upon the cylindrical periphery ofthe turbine in advancing from left to right in the direction of theaxis. The residual speed of the steam passing out from the mov- Eachtime that ing wheel is still very considerable. If this is not to belost, there must be opposite the spot at which the steam passes out fromthe moving wheel a distributerinto which it can at once pass. If, on thecontrary, a fixed partition-that is to say, the space between twodistributei's-faces this spot the outlet speed is neutralized by theimpact and the eddies created by the impact. It will thus be seen thatthe dist-ributers should be arranged in steps from left to right.

The dotted line a b c d e f g h shows ap-' proximately the mean path ofthe steam entering at a into the first moving wheel.

The first moving wheel of the turbine is only partially supplied withsteam; but as the pressure fal ls expansion enormously increases thevolume of steam. The moving Wheels are then kept fully supplied withsteam-that is to say, the difierent portions of the distributers arecontiguous and occupy the entire circumference. In order to facilitateexpansion, it is preferable to increase the height of the moving bladesand to vary the angle at which the steam passes into and out of theblades of the distributer.

Fig. 1? relates to the use of steam-turbines for driving electricalmachines at high speed. It is possible to construct turbines of fourthousand and five thousand horse-power haviug-a speed of fifteen hundredrotations per minute. Under these conditions there may be cases in whichit would be inconvenient to absorb this power by a single electric machine. It would therefore be preferable to divide the turbine into oneor more parts mounted on diiferent shafts. Continuouscurrent oralternating-current generators are then coupled in parallel.

with a single turbine. A single regulator for admitting steam into thefirst turbine is generally sufiiicieut to regulate the whole series, thespeed of rotation of the difierent shafts remaining the same. Dynamoscoupled in parallel regulate one another, particularly when alternatorsare in question. The problem of coupling in parallel is therefore muchsimplified, as the influence of variation of the motor-couple whichalways exists in pis- The work rendered .by the series of turbinesremains the same as ton-engines is entirely avoided in steam-turbines,in which the flow of steam is continuous and the motor-couple constant.

Fig. 17 shows a group of two turbines 35 36 arranged in series anddriving two alternators 37 38, coupled in parallel. Steam passes inthrough the. pipe 39, passes through the obturator 40,0ontrolled by aregulator 41, and from thence it passes into the first moving wheel tothe left of the turbine 35, passes out' of this turbine through the pipe42 into the turbine 36, from whence it passes out through the pipe 43into the condenser.

A speed-regulator is not absolutely necessary for the working of theturbine 36. The

drawings, however, show a regulator in connection with this turbine, itbeing merely for the purpose of regulating when the turbine 36 is drivenby itself.

In order that the turbine 36 may be driven by itself, it is merelynecessary to close communication with the turbine 36 through the cock 44and to open communication with the steam-generators through the cock 45.The pipe 46 leads steam directly from the boiler to the turbine 36.

Instead of placing the turbines 35 and 36 upon different shafts theycould be placed upon the same shaft with an intermediate bearing betweenthe two. In this case it is preferable to retain the feed-pipe 46 of thesecond turbine 36. This pipe allows results to be obtained which areuseful and will be indicated later.

First, by leading steam directly from the boilers to the turbine 36without it passing through the turbine 35 the amount of steam utilizedby the turbines may be increased and greater power obtained. This resultis important when the turbines have been arranged to work withcondensation and they are temporarily worked with free outlet into theatmosphere. The consumption of steam with free outlet into theatmosphere being greater for the same power of machine, it is necessaryto cause a larger amount of steam to be delivered; but the size of thedistributers of the turbine 35 cannot be increased, as it is constructedfor a constant delivery of steam under a given pressure. It is thereforeimpossible to deliver a larger quantity of steam through the turbine 35.The extra steam consumed must therefore be distributed to the turbine36. This result may be attained by means of the pipe 46. This portion ofour invention above described, and illustrated in Fig. 17, forms thesubject-matter of an application to be filed by us as a-division of thepresent application for a patent.

' Secondly, it may also be necessary in certain cases to temporarilygive to the engine a power greatly in excess of its maximum normalpower. As the size of the passage in the first distributer is such as toobtain the greatest power with the pressure given by the generator,there is no other method of increasing the power than by causing steamto pass in at another portion of the turbine. Fig. 18 shows anarrangement of this nature. The pipe 47 leads steam from the generatorto a turbine 48 through a cock 49. Steam passes into the firstdistributer through the pipe 50. The pipe'47 is connected with anotherpipe 51, which leads steam in ata point farther up the turbine, thesteam first passing through the cook 52. With this construction,therefore, a distributer at 51 can be supplied directly from theboiler-that is to say, a distributer Whose section is much greater thanthat of the first distributer. It is therefore possible to greatlyincrease the power of the apparatus by causing a greater quantity ofsteam to pass into the apparatus. The

effect indicated is the same as would be obtained in a piston-engine byincreasing the admission to the first cylinder. The pipe 46 in Fig. 17and the pipe 51 in Fig. 18, which are for the same object, allowlow-pressure exhaust-steam from turbines or piston-engines to beintroduced into the turbine. This exhaust-steam continues to expand inthe portion of the turbine in which it acts and does work efficiently.

Having thus described the nature and object of our invention, what weclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A multicellular turbine, comprising a shaft, a casing inclosing saidshaft, a series of moving wheels arranged within the casing and securedon said shaft, a series of paddleblades projecting from the periphery ofeach wheel, a series of membranes projecting from the casing and formingthe walls of separate chambers wherein the wheels may revolve,

said membranes surrounding the shaft some distance away from theconnections between the shaft and moving wheels and distributersarranged in the membranes to direct the motive fluid directly upon thepaddle-blades, and said distributors increasing in width and overlappingeach other successively at one end and not at the other.

2. In a multicellular turbine, wherein the moving disks or wheels areeach subjected to the direct action of the motive fluid in a separatesteam-chamber, a disk or wheel consisting of a body or plate united to acentral axis or hub, the periphery of the plate being Ushaped incross-section, in combination with a series of paddle-blades uniteddirectly to the periphery of said disk, substantially as and for thepurposes described.

3. In a multicellular turbine of the type described, a moving disk orwheel comprising a central body portion united to a central axis, andhaving an annular rim or periphery substantially U shape incross-section, in combination with a series of angular pieces orpaddle-blades, united to and projecting from the rim of the disk,astrengthening-piece cast or otherwise united to the paddle-blades at theangle thereof and a metallic fel ly concentric with the rim of the diskand firmly united to the projecting portions of the angularpaddle-blades.

4. In a multicellular turbine of the type described, a steam chamber orcell formed by the outer casing of the turbine and two ad jacentmembranes, each of said membranes being formed of a single piece,mounted upon the central axis of the turbine and having the peripheryinterlocking with a groove formed in the interior Wall of the casing.

5. In a multicellular turbine, wherein the Wheels are actuated by livemotive fluid expanding against the periphery of each wheel successively,a series of separated chambers or cells wherein the Wheels are arrangedto revolve, said cells formed by the exterior casing of the turbine anda series of fixed membranes projecting from the casing to inclose IIObetween adjacent membranes each of said wheels, in combination with aseries of distributers for the motive fluid penetrating each chamber orcell, said distributers growing in section from the first to the lastchamher or cell to overlap each other successively at one end and not atthe other and arranged so that the motive fluid in one cell may extiandagainst the periphery of the wheel in that cell and thereafter passhelically through a succeeding distributer into the next cell withoutobstruction.

6. In a multicellular turbine wherein the wheels are normally actuatedby the expansion of live motive fluid through each successive cell andagainst the periphery of each succeeding wheel,.a means for augmentingthe power of said turbine,said means consisting of a pipe conveying livemotive fluid to a cell intermediate in the series of cells.

7. A multicellular turbine, comprising an incased shaft, a series ofwheels arranged Within the shaft-casing, a series of paddlebladesprojecting from each of said wheels, a series of membranes forming thewalls of separate chambers, .wherein said wheels-are adapted to revolveand distributers arranged to direct motive fluid upon said paddleblades,said distributers increasing in width and overlapping each othersuccessively at one end but not at the other.

8. In a multicellular turbine, wherein movable disks or wheels are eachsubjected to the direct action of motive fluid, in a separatesteam-chamber, a disk or wheel consisting of a body or plate united to acentral axis or hub, in combination with a series of paddleblades uniteddirectly to the peripheries of said disks or wheels.

9. In a multicellularturbine, a movable disk or wheel, comprising acentral body united to a central axis and provided with a rim, incombination with a series of paddle-blades united to and projecting fromthe rim of said disk or wheel, a strengthening-piece united to eachpaddle-blade and a felly united to the projecting portions of saidblades.

inclose between adjacent membranes, each of said wheels, in combinationwith a series of distributers for the motive fluid penetrating eachchamber or cell, said distributers arranged to overlap each other at oneend but not at the other so that the motive fluid of one cell may expandagainst the wheel in that cell and then pass through a succeedingdistributer into the next cell, without 0bstruction.

12. In a multicellular turbine of the type described, a casing formedinto two halves, a steam-chamber or cell formed by said casing,and twoadjacent membranes,each formed of a single piece mounted upon thecentral axis of the turbine and having a periphery interlocking withsaid casing.

13. In a multicellular turbine of the type described, an outer casingformed in two halves, divided diametrically, a steam chamber or cellformed by said casing and two adjacent membranes, each formed of asingle piece mounted upon the central axis of the turbine, and having aperiphery interlocking with a groove of said casing.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTE OAMILLE EDMOND RA'IEAU. GASTON SAUTTER.

Witnesses:

PAUL DE MERTSAL, EDWARD P. MAGLEAN.

